Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh – A tragic incident has rocked Sharda University in Greater Noida, where a second-year BDS student, Jyoti Sharma, took her life in her hostel room at Mandela Girls’ Hostel last night. The 21-year-old from Gurugram was found hanging from a ceiling fan on the 12th floor around 7:00 p.m. on July 18. A suicide note recovered from the scene has raised serious allegations of mental harassment against two faculty members, sending shockwaves through the university and local community. Here’s the latest on this developing story.
The Incident
According to police reports, Jyoti Sharma was discovered by hostel staff and fellow students after she failed to respond during a routine attendance check. The warden, noticing her absence, knocked on her door, but there was no answer. With the help of other students, the door was forced open, revealing Jyoti’s body. She had used a dupatta to hang herself from the ceiling fan. Police were immediately informed, and the body was sent for a post-mortem examination.
A suicide note found in the room pointed to severe mental distress. In it, Jyoti accused two faculty members from the dental department, referred to as “Mahendra Sir” and “Sharg Ma’am,” of mentally harassing and humiliating her. She wrote, “They tortured me mentally. I want them to face justice.” The note has sparked outrage among students and Jyoti’s family, who are demanding accountability from the university administration.
Police and University Response
The Greater Noida police, led by Additional DCP Sudhir Kumar, have registered a case and detained the two accused faculty members for questioning. “We received information about the suicide late last night,” Kumar told reporters this morning. “A suicide note was recovered, and we are investigating the allegations of harassment. The post-mortem report is awaited, and we are committed to a fair and thorough probe.”
Sharda University’s administration has remained tight-lipped, issuing only a brief statement expressing condolences and promising cooperation with the police. However, students have criticized the university for its lack of transparency and alleged negligence in addressing mental health concerns.
Students Reaction
The incident has triggered widespread anger among students, who staged protests outside the university’s administrative block today. Many gathered to demand justice for Jyoti and stricter oversight of faculty behavior. “This is not just about one student,” said Navya, a fellow BDS student. “The university doesn’t care about our mental health. There’s no proper support system, and some teachers create so much pressure.”
Jyoti’s family arrived at the university late last night and accused the administration of failing to protect their daughter. Her parents, visibly devastated, claimed that Jyoti had mentioned feeling stressed but never shared the full extent of her struggles. “We sent her here to build a future, not to lose her,” her mother said, breaking down in tears.
A Growing Concern
This tragedy has brought renewed attention to mental health issues among students in high-pressure academic environments. Greater Noida has seen similar incidents in the past, including a suicide at Gautam Buddha University earlier this year, where a student cited depression in her suicide note. Experts are urging universities to implement better counseling services and create safe spaces for students to voice their concerns.
What’s Next?
The police have assured a swift investigation, with a focus on the allegations in Jyoti’s suicide note. The university faces mounting pressure to address student grievances and improve its mental health support system.
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